Window-awning



PATENTED SEPT. 20

J. T. JOHNSON.

WINDOW AWNING.

APPLIOA-TION FILED JULY 19, 1904.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1,

N0 MODEL;

Httomegs No. 770,499. PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

J. T. JOHNSON.

WINDOW AWNING.

APPLICATION PI LED JULY 19, 1904. N0 MODEL. 3 SHBBTSSHEET 2 Inventor Witnesse Attorneys PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

J. T. JOHNSON. WINDOW AWNING. APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

NO MODEL.

M v mJY/zrzaazz Witnesses Inventor l Httomegs UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

- WINDOW-AWNING.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,499, dated September 20, 1904.

Application filed July 19, 1904.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAooB T. JOHNSON, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Philafollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to frames or supports for window, door, and other awnings, and has for its principal object to construct a novel, strong, and durable awning-frame that may be quickly attached to or removed from the window or door without the exercise of any specially-skilled labor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an awning-frame that will automatically close when released from its retaining device.

A still further object of the invention is to construct an awning-frame of a minimum number'of parts, all of the most simple construction, which may be readily disconnected without the use of tools when necessary and packed in small compass for storage or transportation, a still further object in this connection being to materially cheapen the construction of the frame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an awning-frame preferably of springwire of any suitable gage and finish and to so arrange the same that some effort is required to lower the awning, while it will quickly return to closed position when released, so that a number of awnings may be quickly raised in case of storm. 4

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of an awning provided with a supporting-frame made in accordance with'the invention, the awning being shown Serial No. 217.246. (N0 model.)

in the open position. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same withthe awning in closed position. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one form of spring to be attached to the outer surface of the door or window frame. Fig. 4 is asimilar view of a further form of spring to be attached to the side walls of the window or door frame. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the frame. Figs. 6 and 7 are similar views illustrating modified constructions. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of frame embodying the invention. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view showing one method of placing the frame in position. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the knockdown awning-frame with the awning rolled around it in readiness for transportation or storage.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The main portion of the awning-frame or the whole of it is formed of spring-wire arranged to form two coils, one at each side of the frame, and the necessary bars for connecting to the textile or other material of which the awning proper is made. Each side of the frame comprises a piece of spring-wire coiled to form a helical spring 1, and one end of the wire extends in a line tangential to the coil, forming an arm 2, that normally is held in a perpendicular position. An intermediate portion of the wire is bent to form a securingbracket 3, and the opposite end of the wire is bent and passed inward through the end of the coil, as indicated at 4:. The loop 3 is so arranged as to form two parallel strands that may be placed within a suitable socket or may be rigidly secured in place by staples, screws, or other fastening devices. The bracket has an extensive bearing-face for contact with the window-frame or other support, and when secured in position will firmly hold the spring from accidental movement. In the preferred construction the two strands of the 'loop are confined in place by a keeper in the form of a clip 5, which partly embraces both strands, and is provided with a number of openings 6, through which screws or other securing devices may be passed. This, however, is not in all cases necessary, inasmuch as ordinary staples 8 may be passed around the two strands of the loop and driven into the wood of the window or door frame or other support. When the device is secured to the outer wall of the window or door frame, the two strands of the securing-loop are disposed in a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of, the spring-coil, as illustrated; but in some cases it is desirable to secure these members of the frame to the side wall of the window-casing or door-jamb, and in such cases the two members of the loop are arranged in a plane at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the spring-coil; but in either case the coil is left perfectly free, and the main arms 2 always tend to move to a vertical position.

The outer ends of the arms 2 are bent at a right angle to form shorter arms 9, and these are connected to a cross-bar 10 by means of suitable thimbles or sleeves 11, or in some cases a small tube 10 may be employed in place of the bar and thimbles, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The connection of these parts is such that the members of the frame may be readily separated and packed in very small compass for transportation or storage.

The awning 12 may be formed of any textile or other suitable material and may be of any desired shape, that illustrated in the accompanying drawings being the form of awning most generally in use. The top of the awning is secured to the upper portion of the window-frame in 'any'suitable'manner, and the lower outer edge of the awning is secured to the cross-bar 10 and its sides may or may not be secured to the side arms 2. These connections are preferably made by sewing small rings, as 15, to the inner surface of the awning and then passing the bars through the rings, so that the awning proper may be readily separated from the frame when necessary.

To the outer ends of the arms 2 or to the opposite ends of the cross-bar 10 are secured two cords 16, the opposite ends of which are connected together, or a single cord may be used, having its opposite ends connected at the opposite ends of the cross-bar, or a single central connection with the cross-bar 10 may at times be suflicient. Normally the arms 2 stand in perpendicular position and the awning is held closed. By grasping the cord and pulling it down the arms may be moved to approximately horizontal position and the awning moved outward to shield the window or doorway. The loop or the end of the cord may then be secured to a suitable pin or hook placed on the window-sill or other convenient point and the awning retained in position for use as long as desired. To restore it to the upright position, it is merely necessary to remove the cord from the holding device,whereupon the spring-coil will immediately throw the arms 2 to a perpendicular position and move the awning back against thewindow or door frame. I

In many cases it is desirable to avoid the use of auxiliary fastening devices for the upper portion of the awning, and in such cases the ends 4: of the brackets are bent into parallel relation with the arms 2, forming auxiliary upright arms 21, which at their upper ends are bent toward each other, forming smaller arms 22, that may be connected by a bar 23 and thimbles 24: or by means of a small tube, asdesired. These arms 21 are rigid and remain at all times in a perpendicular position, and when the upper edge of the awning is secured to the cross-bar 23 and its lower edge to the cross-bar 10 it is merely necessary to secure the loops 3 to the window or door frame and the awning is immediately in readiness.

In order to strengthen the frame, as well as to more securely shield the awning by avoiding any bending of the arms 2, said arms may be cut off close to the spring or short stub-' arms used, as shown in Fig. 6, and to these shorter arms-may be secured longer arms 2, formed of more rigid bars. The connection in this case may be in the form of thimbles 28, so as to permit of the ready removal of the rigid bars, as shown in Fig. 6. In some cases the three members which are secured to the arms that is to say, the side bars and the crossbarmay be formed of metallic tubes of comparatively small diameter, connected by elbows 27 so as to permit of their ready disconnection when necessary, and the ends of the tubes which form the side bars may be then slipped over the short arms 2.

For convenience in operation in order to hold the awning in any desired position-that is to say, with the arms 2 either in horizontal planes or at an angle to the horizontalthe two cords may be connected to a third cord 30, passing through a self-locking pulley of ordinary type and provided at its end with an operating-handle 31. The cord passes through the lockingpulley, and when the awning has been pulled down to the desired position the cord may be locked, and thus hold the awning. When so arranged, the person adjusting the awning may remain wholly within the room, and it is not even necessary to raise the window to perform the service.

It will be apparent that the awning is adapted for use in connection with window and door frames, and that it may also be used in all places Where awnings or similar shields are employed. One of the principal advantages resides in the ease of disconnection, all of the members of the frame being separated and laid side by side, after which the awning is rolled around them and the whole forms a very small bundle, which may be stored or shipped at comparatively small expense. It will be apparent that by connecting the opposite ends of the cord to the outer ends of the arms 2 downward stress at the lower ends of said cord or at the center of a single cord will tend to pull the ends of the arms toward each other, and thus not only prevent the arms from slipping out of the thimbles, but act further as a strengthening member for holding the awning-frame as a whole from lateral play when the awning is subjected to the action of the wind. By thus positively holding the side arms of the awning in place the connections with the cross-bar may be comparatively loose andh auxiliary fastening devices dispensed wit Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. In an awning-frame, a pair of coiled-wire springs, an intermediate portion of the wire being bent to form a securing-bracket, one end of the wire passing through the coil, and the opposite end forming an awning-attaching arm that is tangential to the coil, and a keeper partly embracing the securing-loop and provided with openings for the passage of fastening devices.

2. In an awning-frame, a pair ofcoiled-wire springs, an intermediate portion of each wire being bent to form a securing-bracket having an extended surface for contact with a support, and one end of each piece of wire forming an awning-attaching arm that is tangential to the coil of which it forms a part, and a cross-bar detachably secured to said arms.

3. In an awning-frame, a pair of coiled-wire springs, one end of each coil being extended tangentially to form an awning-securing arm, and the ends of said arms being bent toward each other forming shorter arms, a cross-bar extending between the shorter arms, and thimbles connecting the cross-bar and said shorter arms.

4. In an awning-supporting frame, a pair of coiled-wire springs, of which one end of the wire forming each coil is extended tangen tially to form an awning-attaching frame, the

opposite ends of said springs being extended to form securing-brackets and rigid perpendicular arms, and cross-bars connecting the respective arms and bars.

5. The combination in an awning-frame, of I a pair of coiled-wire springs of which one end of each spring is extended tangentially, a rigid arm secured to each tangentially-extending arm, and a cross-bar connecting such rigid arms.

6. The combination in an awning-frame, of a pair of coiled-wire springs, of which oneend of each spring is extended to form an arm tangential to the coil, tubular members fitting over such tangential arms and forming rigid awning-attaching arms, and a cross-bar detachably secured to said rigid arms.

7. The combination with an awning-frame, of a pair of spring-arms normally tending to maintain the awning in the closed or upright position, a cross-bar having a slip connection with the outer ends of said arms, and a flexible operating member having its opposite ends secured to the outer portions of the arms, whereby downward stress on said operating member will tend to move the arms toward each other.

8. A frame member formed of a piece of wire coiled into the form of a metal spring, one end of the wire being bent to form a securing-bracket, and the extreme end being then passed through the interior of the coil,

the opposite end of the wire extending tan:

gentially from the end of the coil and forming an awning-attaching member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JACOB T. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

J. H. JocHUM, Jr, J. Ross CALHOUN. 

